I have a Brother 1500, one of the first models. It worked great for a long time but I guess the repairman now can't fix a mechanical machine. They don't know how to fix the thread cutter causing the hook to get out of whack. I have had it in the repair shop three times, three different repairmen, for the same thing. They say they are Brother Techs, I guess not repairman. I have a Juki and it is acting up too. Been in shop twice. Ugh. My old Singer is over 60 years old and still sews circles around the straight stitch only machines now. Never been in the shop either. It's easy to keep clean inside, no hassle removing the housing, no plastic anywhere. I have a Brother sewing/embroidery machine for fancy stitches if I need them.